From Xamarin to .NET MAUI: What You Need to Know About the Latest Framework

If you are a mobile app developer, you may have heard about Xamarin, a popular cross-platform development framework. However, Xamarin has been discontinued, and Microsoft has replaced it with .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI), which is an evolution of Xamarin. In this article, we will explore what you need to know about .NET MAUI and why it is the latest framework for building cross-platform mobile applications.

What is .NET MAUI?

.NET MAUI is a multi-platform UI framework for building native applications for iOS, Android, and Windows using a single codebase. It is an evolution of Xamarin.Forms, and it includes new features and improvements that address some of the limitations of Xamarin.Forms.

One of the main advantages of .NET MAUI is that it supports more platforms than Xamarin.Forms, including macOS, Tizen, and watchOS. It also has a more flexible architecture that allows developers to create custom controls and layouts more easily. Additionally, .NET MAUI uses .NET 6, which includes performance improvements and new language features.

How Does .NET MAUI Compare to Xamarin.Forms?

.NET MAUI is an improvement over Xamarin.Forms in several areas. Here are some of the key differences between the two frameworks:

Architecture

.NET MAUI has a more flexible and extensible architecture than Xamarin.Forms. It uses a new MVU (Model-View-Update) pattern, which allows for more decoupling between the UI and the logic of the application. This makes it easier to create custom controls and layouts and to test the application’s business logic independently of the UI.

Platform Support

.NET MAUI supports more platforms than Xamarin.Forms. It includes support for macOS, Tizen, and watchOS, in addition to iOS, Android, and Windows. This makes it easier for developers to create applications that target a wider audience.

Performance

.NET MAUI includes performance improvements over Xamarin.Forms. It uses .NET 6, which includes improvements to the runtime and the garbage collector. This can result in faster startup times, lower memory usage, and smoother animations.

Tooling

.NET MAUI includes improved tooling over Xamarin.Forms. It includes a new project system that simplifies the process of creating and managing projects. It also includes a new visual editor for creating UI layouts.

How to Get Started with .NET MAUI

If you are interested in developing applications with .NET MAUI, here are the steps to get started:

Step 1: Install .NET 6

.NET MAUI requires .NET 6 to be installed on your development machine. You can download .NET 6 from the official .NET website.

Step 2: Install Visual Studio 2022 Preview

.NET MAUI development requires Visual Studio 2022 Preview, which can be downloaded from the Visual Studio website.

Step 3: Create a .NET MAUI Project

Once you have installed .NET 6 and Visual Studio 2022 Preview, you can create a new .NET MAUI project. Visual Studio includes project templates for creating .NET MAUI applications.

Step 4: Start Developing!

With your project set up, you can start developing your application using .NET MAUI. You can use the new MVU pattern to create custom controls and layouts, and you can take advantage of the improved tooling to create your UI.

Conclusion

.NET MAUI is the latest cross-platform development framework from Microsoft, and it is an improvement over Xamarin.Forms in several areas. It includes support for more platforms, has a more flexible architecture, includes performance improvements, and includes improved tooling. If you are a mobile app developer, you should consider using .NET MAUI for your next project. With its powerful features and ease of use, it is thebest framework for creating native mobile applications that can run on multiple platforms. By following the steps outlined above, you can get started with .NET MAUI and take advantage of its many features and benefits. Whether you are a seasoned mobile app developer or just starting out, .NET MAUI is an excellent choice for building high-quality, cross-platform mobile applications.

In summary, we have explored what .NET MAUI is, how it compares to Xamarin.Forms, and how to get started with .NET MAUI development. We have seen that .NET MAUI is an evolution of Xamarin.Forms that addresses many of the limitations of its predecessor. It supports more platforms, has a more flexible architecture, includes performance improvements, and includes improved tooling. If you are looking to build cross-platform mobile applications, .NET MAUI is the framework to use. With its powerful features and ease of use, it is the perfect choice for creating high-quality, native mobile applications.